Mounting system

ABSTRACT

A mounting system for strand-like functional elements ( 5 ) such as cables or lines, particularly for wind power plants, comprising a main body ( 1 ) having strand passageways ( 3 ) formed by receiving spaces ( 7 ), which have an opening ( 13 ) for inserting functional elements ( 5 ) that is closable by a cover device ( 49, 43 ), and which define a receiving axis ( 15 ) running from the outer opening ( 13 ) to the inner end ( 17 ) of the respective receiving space ( 7 ), is characterized in that the main body ( 1 ) is formed from at least two sector elements ( 11, 12 ), which each have at least one strand passageway ( 3 ) and can be coupled to one another at at least one connecting point ( 21 ), and in that the receiving axes ( 15 ) of successive strand passageways ( 3 ) on the main body ( 1 ) diverge outward.

The invention relates to a mounting system for strand-like functionalelements such as cables or lines, in particular for wind power plants,having a main body having strand passageways that are formed byreceiving spaces, which have an opening for the insertion of functionalelements that can be closed by a cover device, and which define areceiving axis that runs from the outer opening to the inner end of therespective receiving space.

In conventional wind power plants, the nacelle rotatably disposed on thetower, which contains the generator units having the correspondingassemblies, can perform up to three turns before the nacelle is drivenback. Strand-shaped operational functional elements such as cables forthe removal of generated energy as well as for control, conditionmonitoring, communication and the like, as well as hose lines etc.,which run through the tower into nacelle must therefore be positioned inan orderly manner and fixed, in particular in the region hanging out ofthe nacelle into the tower. In order to ensure operational reliability,cables and the like in the loops hanging in the tower must be kept at adistance such that they do not rub against one another during rotationalmovements. In the case of the large number of strand-like functionalelements used in modern wind power plants, which must be accommodated inthe strand passageways of a corresponding main body, the main body inquestion must have significant dimensions. This regularly results inhigh manufacturing costs for the manufacturing processes underconsideration, such as compression or injection molding of plastics ormetal alloys, when manufacturing components of such a large size.

Given these difficulties, the object of the invention is to provide amounting system of the type under consideration, which enables low-costmanufacturing.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a mounting systemhaving the features of claim 1 in its entirety.

Accordingly, an essential feature of the invention consists of the factthat the main body is formed from at least two sectional elements, whicheach have strand passageways and which can be coupled to one another atat least one junction point, wherein the receiving axes of successivestrand passageways on the main body diverge outward. Because a main bodyis provided, which is made up of sectional elements, this eliminates theneed to manufacture the main body in the form of a component havinglarge dimensions, which in the prior art, make a large tool andcorrespondingly large injection molding machine necessary. Instead, theuse of smaller machine units simplifies and lowers the cost ofproduction. Due to the fact that in addition, the receiving axes ofsuccessive strand passageways on the main body diverge outward, the mainbody has a curved outer form, which is more favorable for the formationof strand bundles such as those that hang out of the nacelle into thetower as compared to conventional mounting systems having flat,strip-like main bodies.

In particular, the main body may advantageously have the form of astar-shaped body, on which strand passageways are disposed along animaginary curved line.

In the case of such a body having curved peripheral regions, the coverdevice, which closes the openings of the receiving spaces of the strandpassageways, may advantageously also have a tension band as anadditional element, which encloses the strand member and forms asafeguard against short-circuit forces that may possibly arise duringoperation.

For the configuration of the star-shaped body, the arrangement may besuch that at least two of the sectional elements are identically formed,for example in that the entire star-shaped body is made up of twosectional elements designed as interchangeable parts.

Alternatively, a star-shaped body formed out of more than two sectionalelements may be provided, in which all sectional elements areidentically formed.

In terms of the coupling of the sectional elements, the arrangement maybe such that at least one attachment point of the sectional elements isformed as a hinge joint that makes a relative pivotal movement of thesectional elements possible. In order to form the main body, sectionalelements or groups of sectional elements connected to one another canthereby by folded out in such a way that an additional, centralreceiving space located in the interior of the strand member is createdtherebetween, in which an additional functional element can beinstalled.

The strand passageways of the sectional elements may advantageously havereceiving spaces in the form of trough-like recesses, wherein the coverdevice has holding members, which can be latched by means of theappropriate sectional element for the pre-fixation of functionalelements that are inserted into the strand passageways at the opening ofthe respective receiving spaces. This facilitates the assembly processin that functional elements can be comfortably inserted into the strandpassageways in succession and secured there against falling out beforethe fixing process is finally completed, for example by means of thetension band enclosing the holding members.

In especially advantageous embodiments, the sectional elements aredesigned in the form of quadrants, which can be combined to form astar-shaped body in which the openings of the receiving spaces arelocated in a circular line that extends along the outer periphery of thestar-shaped body. The inner faces of the receiving spaces facing awayfrom the opening of the strand passageways may be delimited by a wall,which extends along a quarter-circle so that said walls delimit acentral opening, which forms a receiving space for the installation ofan additional functional element.

The arrangement may be advantageously made in such a way that an innerinsert may be provided that can be accommodated in the central openingfor the formation of an additional strand passageway, said inner insertforming at least one additional strand passageway, or one or a pluralityof further additional strand passageways.

The invention is described in detail below based on the embodimentsshown in the drawings.

Shown are:

FIG. 1 a side view of an embodiment of the mounting system according tothe invention, wherein a bundle of three cables is inserted into each oftwo strand passageways;

FIG. 2 a partial view of the embodiment, wherein four quadrants, whichform the main body as a star-shaped body, are combined into a pair ofsectional elements, which are shown unfolded at a hinge-likearticulation point;

FIG. 3 a view of a single quadrant drawn in a somewhat larger scale;

FIG. 4 a perspective side view of the quadrant shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 a side view of a second embodiment of the mounting systemaccording to the invention, without strand-like functional elementsinserted into the strand passageways;

FIG. 6 a perspective side view of the embodiment in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 an exploded side view of the sectional elements from FIG. 5 andtwo additional elements that can be attached between the sectionalelements, drawn in a somewhat smaller scale than in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 a side view of the sectional elements that can be combined into astar-shaped body pursuant to a third embodiment and the additionalelements from FIG. 7 and

FIG. 9 a side view of the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 1, wherein aninner insert is accommodated in the central opening of the star-shapedbody.

In FIG. 1, which shows a first embodiment of the invention as a whole, amain body in the form of a star-shaped body 1 is provided, along theperipheral regions of which strand passageways 3 in the form oftrough-like recesses are formed, in which strand-like functionalelements that are to be fastened can be inserted. By way of example,FIG. 1 only shows functional elements inserted into two strandpassageways 3, which elements each comprise a cable bundle 5 comprisingthree cables, said cable bundles being inserted into the receiving space7 formed in the strand passageways 3. As made clear in FIG. 1, adapterinserts 9 are inserted into some of the strand passageways 3 in order tofacilitate the fixing of functional elements having different shapes anddimensions, in that the shape and dimension of the respective receivingspace 7 is adapted to the requirements.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show, in greater detail, the sectional elements 11 formedas so-called carry-over parts, which can be combined into thestar-shaped body 1. In the present example, four sectional elements 11are provided, each of which have two strand passageways 3 in the form oftrough-like recesses with an external opening 13. The sectional elements11 are designed such that they are curved, as quadrants of what in thepresent case is a round star-shaped body 1. The receiving axes 15defined by the receiving spaces 7, which axes extend from the outeropening 13 to the inner end 17 of the strand passageways 3, see FIG. 3,diverge to the outside of the sectional element 11. The sectionalelements 11 are laterally defined by walls, which extend from radialplanes, at which walls the sectional elements 11 can be coupled to oneanother by means of junction points 21. The sectional elements 11 aredelimited at the inner face thereof facing away from openings 13 of thestrand passageways 3 by a wall 23, which extends along a quarter-circle.FIG. 2 shows that two sectional elements 11 are connected at each of thejunction points 21 into a pair comprising two quadrants, and that bothpairs are pivotably connected to one another at a junction point, whichis designed as a hinge joint 25.

When the pairs of quadrants are folded together from the spread pivotedposition shown in FIG. 2 and connected into the closed star-shaped body1, a closed central opening is formed 27, in which an inner insert 29can be accommodated and can be secured therein by folding together thepairs of quadrants. As shown in FIG. 9, such an inner insert 29 may formadditional strand passageways 31, 33, 35 so that additional strand-likefunctional elements can be run through the central opening 27.

As can be seen in FIG. 4 in particular, the junction points 21 aredesigned in such a way that projections 37 and depressions 39 are formedin the walls 19, which are disposed such that they alternate so that inthe installed state, a kind of toothing is formed that can absorb theforces. The outer surfaces 41 adjoining the openings 13 of the strandpassageways 3 have a curvature that corresponds to a circular arc for atension band 43 enclosing the star-shaped body 1, which tension band canbe tightened by means of a turnbuckle 45. Tabs 47 that project from thesurface 41 are located near the walls 19 for the lateral guidance of thetension band 43.

A holding member 49 is provided for the closure of each of the openings13 of the strand passageways 3, said holding member being hinged with ajoint fork not shown in the drawing at a pivot point 51 at the opening13 of the appropriate strand passageway 3 in such a way that theseholding members can be pivoted out of a pivoting position, that releasesthe opening 13, into the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, in which saidholding members close the strand passageway 3. These holding members 49have latch tongues 53 (which are only partially numbered in FIGS. 1 and9), with which the holding members 49 can be latched in the closedposition for the pre-fixation of functional elements that are insertedinto the strand passageways 3, before the tension band 43 is tightenedover the top of the holding members 49. The holding members 49 havespring-loaded movable pressure members 55, which are only partiallynumbered in FIGS. 1 and 9 and exert a holding force on the functionalelements such as cables or cable bundles 5 that are inserted in thestrand passageways 3. A mounting system is thereby implemented, in whichthe respective star-shaped body 1 serves in the manner of a spacer for aloop of cables and/or lines forming loops, hanging out of the nacelleinto the tower, thereby preventing the cables or lines from rubbingagainst one another during rotational movements. In addition, the cablesor lines can be reliably guided and secured by means of the mountingsystem even within the segment-like tower structure, which represents asubstantial facilitation in the installation of such towers.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an embodiment in which the star-shaped body 1 isformed out of two identically designed sectional elements 12, each ofwhich have two strand passageways 3 that, like the other components ofthese sectional elements 12, are designed in the same manner as thesectional elements 11 of the preceding example. The difference lies inthe fact that, unlike the quadrants in the preceding example, thesectional elements 12 do not form a complete star when they are coupledto one another, but instead, free spaces 57 are formed between thesectional elements 12. The sectional elements 12 are connected atjunction points 21, which are designed, as in the first embodiment, bymeans of screws that are screwed into the material of the sectionalelements 12, as is also the case in the first embodiment, wherein, inthe case of the second embodiment in FIGS. 5 and 6, only the junctionpoints 21 that are adjacent to the inner wall 23 junction points 21 areused. Just as in the first embodiment, pivotable holding members 49 arehinged at the openings of the strand passageways 3, which holdingmembers can be latched in the closed position, wherein, as in the firstembodiment, a tension band 43 is passed over the top of the holdingmembers 49.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a further embodiment in the form of a furtherdevelopment of the example pursuant to FIGS. 5 and 6 described above,wherein additional elements 59 are provided for the formation of twoadditional strand passageways 3, which can be used in the free spaces 57between the sectional elements 12 and by means of the junction points 21can be fixed thereto. Each of the additional elements 59 forms a strandpassageway 3 and, together with the sectional elements 12, form astar-shaped body 1 having a slightly oval outer contour.

With the above mentioned sectional elements being designed as identicalcomponents, different configurations can therefore be produced at strandpassageways, for example such as a configuration according to FIGS. 1and 2 or such as a configuration according to FIGS. 5 and 6. If theabove described sectional elements are designed such that they aresmaller, so that these elements only cover an arc segment of 10° to 45°,preferably of approximately 30°, it will be possible to achieve agreater modular variance and to implement different fixing systems (notshown) with a plurality of sectional elements, in the manner of amodular system.

1. A mounting system for strand-like functional elements (5) such ascables or lines, in particular for wind power plants, having a main body(1) having strand passageways (3) that are formed by receiving spaces(7), which have an opening (13) for the insertion of functional elements(5) that can be closed by a cover device (49, 43), and which define areceiving axis (15) that runs from the outer opening (13) to the innerend (17) of the respective receiving space (7), characterized in thatthe main body (1) is formed from at least two sectional elements (11,12), which each have strand passageways (3) and can be coupled to oneanother at at least one junction point (21), and in that the receivingaxes (15) of successive strand passageways (3) on the main body (1)diverge outward.
 2. The mounting system according to claim 1,characterized in that the main body has the form of a star-shaped body(1), on which the strand passageways (3) are disposed along an imaginarycurved line.
 3. The mounting system according to claim 1, characterizedin that the cover device has a tension band (43) enclosing thestar-shaped body (1).
 4. The mounting system according to claim 1,characterized in that at least two of the sectional elements (11, 12)are identically formed.
 5. The mounting system according to claim 1,characterized in that all sectional elements (11, 12) are identicallyformed.
 6. The mounting system according to claim 1, characterized inthat at least one attachment point (21) of the sectional elements isformed as a hinge joint (25) that makes a relative pivotal movement ofthe sectional elements (11) possible.
 7. The mounting system accordingto 1, characterized in that the strand passageways (3) of the sectionalelements (11, 12) have receiving spaces (7) in the form of trough-likerecesses, and in that the cover device has holding members (49), whichcan be latched to the appropriate sectional element (11, 12) for thepre-fixation of functional elements (5) that are inserted into thestrand passageways (3) at the opening (13) of the respective receivingspaces.
 8. The mounting system according to claim 1, characterized inthat sectional elements are designed in the form of quadrants (11),which can be combined into a star-shaped body (1) in which the openings(13) of the receiving spaces (7) are located in a circular line thatextends along the outer periphery of the star-shaped body (1).
 9. Themounting system according to claim 1, characterized in that thequadrants (11) can be coupled to one another by means of junction points(21) along walls (19) which extend from radial planes, and whichlaterally define the receiving spaces (7).
 10. The mounting systemaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the inner faces of thequadrants (11) facing away from the opening (13) of the strandpassageways (3) are delimited by a wall (23), which extends along aquarter-circle, said walls delimiting a central opening (27) that isformed in the star-shaped body (1).
 11. The mounting system according toclaim 1, characterized in that an inner insert (29) is provided that canbe accommodated in the central opening (27), said inner insert having atleast one additional strand passageway (3).
 12. The mounting systemaccording to claim 1, characterized in that sectional elements (12) canbe coupled in such a way that free points (57) are formed betweenadjacent sectional elements (12), in which free points additionalelements (59) having at least one additional strand passageway (3) canbe accommodated.